Cities4Cities, within the Polaris Programme ‘Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine’, announces the results of the community mentoring contest. Over the next six months, ten teams will work with mentors to strengthen their capacity in international cooperation.

The Cities4Cities Mentorship Programme is designed to support communities that wish to develop international ties systematically, but lack the necessary resources and experience. The programme provides practical support and helps communities to develop their own processes, enabling them to continue working independently with partners.

Ten communities from nine regions of Ukraine won the competitive selection process. Out of 98 applications, they demonstrated the greatest motivation and ability of their teams to participate actively in the mentoring programme.

Contest winners (in alphabetical order)

1. Korostyshiv community – Zhytomyr region
2. Koziatyn community – Vinnytsia region
3. Kurne community – Zhytomyr region
4. Kushuhum community – Zaporizhzhia region
5. Novoukrainka community – Kirovohrad region
6. Opishnia community – Poltava region
7. Rozdilna community – Odesa region
8. Savyntsi community – Kharkiv region
9. Teofipol community – Khmelnytskyi region
10. Zavodske community – Ternopil region

What is involved in participating in the programme?

Each community will be provided with:

• regular work with a mentor;
• support in developing an international cooperation strategy and community profile in English;
• online training sessions and expert workshops;
• participation in the Ideas Residency in Lviv;
• counselling on finding partners and preparing for international forums;
• participation in the final forum in spring 2026.

The Cities4Cities implements the ‘International Municipal Cooperation’ component of the Polaris Programme ‘Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine’, financed by Sida and implemented by SALAR International.